SIGA Holds Ground Breaking Ceremony

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and the Border Tribal Council recently held a dedicated ceremony to break ground and to mark the commencement of the construction of a new land-based casino in the city of Lloydminster in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) revealed a few months prior to the ceremony that the upcoming casino could create up to 140 local jobs. The casino, which is set to be named Eagle Park West, will boast 31,000 square feet of floor space, as well as 250 slot machines and 6 to 8 gaming tables.

There are also plans in the establishment’s future to add a 250 room hotel to the mix, along with restaurants, a convenience store, and a convention centre that will seat 1,500 guests.

Saskatchewan First Nations To Benefit From Casino

Reginald Bellerose, the chairman of SIGA, commented on the start of construction for the new casino, noting that the authority is pleased to have broken ground and begun the exciting new project alongside the Border Tribal Council (BTC).

The casino, Bellerose said, will benefit the community of Lloydminster and also the First Nations of Saskatchewan, which he says has been made possible through longstanding partnerships between the BTC, Little Pine First Nation, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, and the City of Lloydminster.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority granted the $15.5 million plan for the Eagle Park West Casino its conditional approval in April last year. This was shortly followed by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations’ vote to allow SIGA to expand its construction into the 27,800 population border city specifically for the purposes of operating the gambling destination.

Little Pine First Nation Tribe To Lease Land To Operator

SIGA already employs over 1,870 locals through its 6 western Canadian casinos, including Whitecap’s Dakota Dunes Casino and the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert. The authority explained that its latest casino project will be built on land owned by the Little Pine First Nation, and that the tribe has agreed to lease the site in exchange for a portion of the casino’s future profits.

Zane Hansen, President and CEO of SIGA, offered a statement regarding the Eagle Park West casino project. The CEO noted that the new casino will significantly benefit Lloydminster by creating employment opportunities, and funds for city services and charities.

The new establishment will also support local businesses through new service contracts and by boosting tourism in the area, Hansen explained.